LCT9 Semi Enclosed Clay Plateau Farmland

General Description 9.1 The Semi Enclosed Clay Plateau Farmland is a mix of medium and open tracts of large scale arable fields, with smaller fields of pasture associated with the settlements and dry river valleys. Settlements are long and linear, generally located within the more fertile valleys.

Location 9.2 Semi Enclosed Clay Plateau Farmland is found on the lower slopes below the North Wessex Downs and, although similar, differs from LCT8 in its geology, topography and landscape pattern. There is one area within .

 LCA9A North Andover Plateau

Physical Influences 9.3 Geology and Soils: The plateau is made up of Chalk and deposits of clay with flints, with dry river valleys with Gravel on the valley floor. Landform: A plateau landform, with gentle dry river valleys. Drainage: A well-drained area within the catchment.

Biodiversity and Vegetation Pattern 9.4 This landscape is predominantly arable farming, with smaller and medium- sized fields divided by mature hedgerows. There are a small number of small woodlands / copses, particularly to the east, and many of the larger of these

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are designated as Ancient Woodland and SINC, such as Ramridge Copse and Great Copse. There are also many sections of shelter belt and smaller pockets of woodland set within the hedgerow network and well linked to these more discrete woodlands.

9.5 There are also areas of parkland and wood pasture particularly to the eastern part of the LCA.

Notable Habitats

 Broadleaved semi-natural woodland.

Historical Influences 9.6 Semi Enclosed Clay Plateau Farmland is characterised by large areas of informal enclosure typified by the predominance of regular fields with wavy boundaries. The Historic Landscape Character Analysis identified ‘regular fields with wavy boundaries’ as being a type normally related with late medieval to 17th/18th century informal enclosure, predating the period when boundaries were carefully surveyed. Some evidence of parliamentary enclosure is present but only in isolated instances and then generally closely associated with the formal parkland of the larger country houses. This may indicate a driving force for enclosure by the larger landowners and often from the aristocratic landowning families (with more to gain from enclosure). This would explain the focus of parliamentary enclosure around the formal parkland estates linking it with the redevelopment of estate farm complexes.

9.7 Compact areas of woodland can be seen to the east and west of this landscape type and are suggestive of the area being previously wooded, cleared and then replanted. It can be presumed that, due to their close proximity to parkland, they were part of a landscape design plan.

Settlement Pattern 9.8 There are two types of settlement visible in this character type – Estate Village settlement type and Clay Upland and Plateau settlement type. One example of the former (Penton Mewsey) is present on the valley floor close to a tributary of the River Anton. It is a nucleated settlement. The others in this

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landscape type are Clay Upland and Plateau settlements. They are located on the chalk upland areas and tend to be linear in nature along a single road.

Communication Network 9.9 Roads which extend through the landscape of informal enclosure are clearly influenced by this process being generally wavy and following the contours of the land.

Key Natural and Cultural Landscape Issues 9.10 Key natural and cultural landscape issues as follows:

 Intensification of farming, in particular conversion of permanent pasture to arable  Loss of contrast between the intricate landscape of the dry river valleys and the simpler landscapes of the higher ground  Lack of appropriate management of woodlands  Infill development within the linear settlements located within the valleys  Loss of hedgerow boundaries, mature hedgerow trees and adjacent grass verges  Localised intrusion of roads on adjacent quiet areas  Increased traffic on the road network, with road improvements creating a more urban character  Communication masts and transmitters, and wind turbines, which, if not carefully sited, will be particularly visually intrusive on the predominantly open skyline and have an impact on the sense of remoteness  Impacts of solar development on the valued predominantly rural character, sense of remoteness and tranquillity  Intensification of farming and extensive fertiliser applications, resulting in large fields and the loss of archaeological features and biodiversity in particular the loss of unimproved mesotrophic grassland  Amalgamation of farms resulting in large areas managed as single units and a greater requirement for large buildings  Conversions of farm buildings  Loss of chalk downland to arable or scrub encroachment

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 Lack of coppice management leading to a reduction of specialised species such as butterflies  Isolation of small patches of habitat  Hedgerow fragmentation and loss  Declining farmland bird populations.

Land Management Guidelines 9.11 All of the Borough wide land management guidelines in the introduction apply to this Landscape Character Type. Specific to this Landscape Character Type are: 9.12 Agriculture  Encourage sustainable farming practices with a view to minimising the impact of new farming infrastructure and methods including spraying and fertiliser applications  Encourage new farm buildings to be well sited and integrated into the landscape 9.13 Hedgerows  Restore lost and fragmented hedgerows on former hedgerow lines, ensure oak standards grow up to form hedgerow trees  Seek opportunities mitigate impact from existing and future development through new hedgerow planting 9.14 Woodland and Trees  Promote good management of woodlands including greater use of coppicing 9.15 Biodiversity  Explore opportunities for chalk grassland restoration and reversion  Explore opportunities for improving the diversity of arable field margins  Restore, enhance and positively manage the woodland, hedge and shelter belt habitat to enhance the network, with particular reference to butterflies  Explore opportunities for improving and linking habitats for farmland birds 9.16 Historic Landscapes  Conserve and enhance parkland and other historic features

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Land Use and Development Guidelines 9.17 All of the Borough wide land use and development guidelines in the introduction apply to this Landscape Character Type. Specific to this Landscape Character Type are: 9.18 Built Development  Maintain the historic integrity of the existing settlement pattern  Minimise visual intrusion into the adjacent countryside  Avoid extending linear development along roads and seek opportunities to enhance existing linear development  Protect the area from suburbanising influences and inappropriate landscaping including over-sized gates, non-native boundary planting, inappropriate fencing and from inappropriate infrastructure design 9.19 Infrastructure  Seek opportunities to enhance roadside planting and minimise visual and noise intrusion  Avoid intrusive development of tall and large structures except where they can be successfully integrated into the landscape  Seek to minimise the visual intrusion and suburbanising effect arising from highway infrastructure

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LCA9A North Andover Plateau

North Wessex Downs AONB area indicated with orange line hatch.

General Description 9A.1. The North Andover Plateau is a gentle sloping plateau falling from around 125mAOD in the north to around 80mAOD in the south on the edge of Andover. Across the plateau a series of dry gravel river valleys run in a predominantly southerly direction linking to the River Anton, which eventually flows into the River Test south of Andover.

9A.2. The dry valleys and gentle ridges have created a complex land use and farming pattern, with predominantly larger arable fields found on the areas of higher ground, and a mosaic of small and medium field sizes located within the valleys. The larger arable fields lack hedgerows, but groupings of these fields are often enclosed by shelter belts, creating large uncomplicated open areas, as seen around the centre of this Landscape Character Area. A number of woodlands are found within this landscape, many associated with parklands, for example Ramridge Copse, with the park at Ramridge House

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and the numerous woods in the close vicinity to House, House and Penton Park.

9A.3. Fields associated with the settlements are well hedged and irregular in size with a mix of arable, but predominantly pasture. The associated parklands bring further diversity to the land surrounding these settlements. The edge of Andover is strongly defined by fields meeting areas of built development. The open aspect of development to the countryside could have a visual impact and urbanise the immediate landscape quality.

Location 9A.4. North Andover Plateau mainly lies north of Andover and extends to the settlements of and . The western boundary follows the A342.

Local Physical Influences 9A.5. Geology and Soils: The plateau is made up of Chalk and deposits of clay with flints, with dry river valleys within Gravel on the valley floor. Landform: South facing slopes with shallow dry valleys. Drainage: Area drains into the River Anton.

Local Biodiversity and Vegetation Pattern 9A.6. This landscape is predominantly arable farming, with smaller and medium- sized fields divided by mature hedgerows. There are a small number of small woodlands / copses, particularly to the east, and many of the larger of these are designated as Ancient Woodland and SINC, such as Ramridge Copse and Great Copse. There are also many sections of shelter belt and smaller pockets of woodland set within the hedgerow network and well linked to these more discrete woodlands.

9A.7. There are also areas of parkland and wood pasture, particularly to the eastern part of the LCA.

9A.8. The table below identifies the broad habitat types for LCA9A.

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Broad habitat type Area of habitat Percentage of the (Hectares) LCA (%) Arable and horticulture 1588.38 62.46 Boundary and linear features 66.77 2.63 Bracken 0.38 0.02 Broadleaved, mixed, and yew woodland 189.35 7.45 Built-up areas and gardens 228.39 8.98 Calcareous grassland 0.72 0.03 Coniferous woodland 28.17 1.11 Improved grassland 360.59 14.18 Neutral grassland 6.52 0.26 Unidentified habitat 73.00 2.87 Unidentified water 0.64 0.03 Total 2542.90

Local Historical Influences 9A.9. The area of later medieval to 17th/18th century regular fields with wavy boundaries identified in Landscape Character Area 8A immediately to the north continues into this character area and is associated with an area of regular ladder fields to the east. Areas of parliamentary enclosure are located on the uplands to the east and west of the area and around the settlements of and Penton Mewsey.

9A.10. The southern portion of this character area retains a much more varied agricultural landscape including an area of small rectilinear fields with wavy boundaries, regular fields with wavy boundaries and irregular fields with straight boundaries. The first two examples are thought to indicate 17th/18th century attempts at informal enclosure while the final form may represent land enclosed at the same time as parliamentary enclosure although not actually enclosed under the Inclosure Acts.

9A.11. Stands of pre-1810 woodland and 19th century plantations area visible particularly around the 19th century parkland and house of Redenham Park. This house evidently had a considerable impact upon the design not only of its own park but also its immediate environs and was to all intents and purposes enclosed by a protective belt of woodland during the 19th century. In contrast Ramridge Park is relatively open to its surrounding environment although it does retain several copses within its grounds.

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9A.12. The north eastern corner of this character area retains significant portions of replanted pre-1810 woodland and replanted assarted pre-1810 woodland all close to Bourne Park north of Enham Alamein.

9A.13. A Roman Road (the Icknield Way) extends through this area (through Bilgrove Copse) and is fossilised within the line of a later road.

9A.14. The evidence from through this character area indicates a landscape undergoing significant change during the 19th century but which retains to an extent an eclectic early post-medieval agricultural landscape particularly along its southern borders. The presence of one pre-1810 and three post-1810 parklands and associated houses within this area has had a significant impact upon the development of this character area.

Designations 9A.15. Designations that lie wholly or in part within this Landscape Character Area comprise: 9A.16. Nature Conservation SINC  18 SINCs, mostly ancient semi-natural woodland and other woodland, as well as grassland and sites supporting notable species 9A.17. Historic Conservation Areas  Appleshaw  and Penton Mewsey Scheduled Monuments  Roman buildings on Lambourne's Hill  Roman villa 500yds (460m) SW of Clanville House  Long Barrow 350m south-east of Nutbane  Foxcott deserted medieval village Listed buildings  Significant numbers including clusters within the conservation areas and at Clanville  Grade I listed Church Of St Michael and All Angels at

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 Penton Park Grade II Listed lodges and stables  Redenham House and Park Listed Building Grade II* Registered Parks and Gardens  Biddesden House: Listed as Grade II on the Historic Register of Historic Parks and Gardens

Settlement Pattern 9A.18. Penton Mewsey retains an extensive historic core laid out in a linear alignment along Chalkcroft Lane. To the west lies the 14th century church and the early 18th century manor house. The park nearby was developed during the 19th century and the settlement close by also largely dates to the 19th century.

9A.19. In a similar vein the villages of Appleshaw and Redenham have developed flanked by two large areas of parkland (Ramridge Park and Redenham Park). At Redenham in particular this has substantially effected its development and is classified here as an Estate Village Settlement Type. Within this western portion of the character area the presence of several large houses has played an important role in the development of settlement pattern.

9A.20. Further to the east the settlements lie within an agricultural landscape which has become increasingly influenced by the development of Andover to the south. Settlements such as Knights Enham all display significant developments during the 19th and 20th centuries.

9A.21. Further to the west past Knights Enham, towards Penton Mewsey farmsteads continue to be well spaced throughout the regular fields with wavy boundaries. Further west the number of farms appears to fall and the landscape appears to become increasingly ‘stage managed’ around the great houses and parklands in this part of the Borough. It is likely that the Home farms often closely linked to the great houses managed large tracts of land within the western portion of this character area.

9A.22. To the west, there are a number of settlements creating a well-settled landscape, with development predominantly located within the dry valleys.

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Originally more nucleated in form, however post 1811 development had led to their linear form as seen today. Farmsteads are also found within these settlements but are generally located to the edge of these settlements, further up the valley sides and within adjacent valleys.

9A.23. This Landscape Character Area is well served by roads, with a number of major routeways seen towards the east located along the valley bottoms, with lesser roads criss-crossing the landscape linking the settlements and farmsteads. Roads within the west are shown to be more directional towards Andover resulting in roads traversing ridges and valleys.

Local Settlements 9A.24. Local Settlements and their corresponding Settlement Type (see Appendix 2 for more information):  Appleshaw: Clay Upland and Plateau Settlement Type  Penton Grafton: Estate Village Settlement Type  Penton Mewsey: Estate Village Settlement Type

Remoteness and Tranquillity 9A.25. To the north of this area, where the influence of Andover is less pronounced, there are some remoter areas which will have a good level of tranquillity.

Key Valued Characteristics 9A.26. Key valued characteristics of LCA9A are as follows:  Complex plateau landscape with dry river gravel valleys and gentle ridges  Contrasting open areas of arable farmland with shelter belts on higher ground  Well hedged mix of mainly pasture associated with settlements  Important countryside gaps between Andover and other settlements  Mixed historic landscape displaying good survival of early post-medieval field systems along the southern border of this character area and also through its central portion  Significant influence from the country houses and associated parklands and woodlands present within this character area  Numerous small woodland copses

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 Close relationship between parkland and settlements  19th century parliamentary enclosure in the east of this character area  Pre-1810 woodland survives close to Bourne Park in the north eastern portion of this character area  A Roman Road extends through this area for a short distance  Distinction of farmstead distribution varying from east to west  A tranquil landscape away from Andover  Local buildings are typically brick and flint with clay tile roofs  Extensive views from the network of public rights of way and lanes running through the area including to undeveloped skylines of ridges and wooded horizons  Village greens and village playing fields with mature trees such as at Appleshaw Village  Rural character of lanes criss-crossing the landscape linking the settlements and farmsteads

Key Detractors 9A.27. Key detractors of LCA9A are as follows:  Lack of hedgerows in arable landscape  Mixed linear development degrading this landscape area along the A342  Visual intrusion from pylons crossing the area  Views to large-scale buildings within business parks on the edge of Andover to the south of A303 (within LCA 10C)  Suburban boundary treatments in rural locations

Local Natural and Cultural Landscape Issues 9A.28. Local natural and cultural landscape issues for LCA9A are as follows:

 Potential increase in urban influence on landscape north and west of Andover  Potential loss of distinction between the Pentons and Andover which could significantly impact upon the mixed landscape along the southern boundary of this character area  Retention of the close relationship between parkland and settlement form

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 Potential solar and other renewable energy development eroding the rural character of the area

Landscape Strategy and Guidelines 9A.29. Landscape Strategy and Guidelines for LCA9A are as follows:  The proximity of North Andover Plateau to Andover and the openness of the landscape make this character area particularly vulnerable to visual intrusion from any urban expansion or new urban fringe development. The overall strategy is to enhance the varied landscape structure and rural character of North Andover Plateau and seek opportunities to create a stronger edge treatment to the settlements through appropriate planting and protect and enhance the key valued characteristics.

Land Management 9A.30. All of the Borough wide and Landscape Character Type land management guidelines apply to this Landscape Character Area. Specific to this Landscape Character Area are as follows: 9A.31. Landscape Distinctiveness  Protect the distinctive form and character of separate settlements  Maintain the existing complexity and variety of the landscape  Maintain existing levels of tranquillity and minimise the impact of development on the quiet enjoyment of this area 9A.32. Agriculture  Seek opportunities to retain and restore remaining small areas of pasture  Discourage further amalgamation of fields and loss of hedgerows and encourage replanting of hedgerows and hedgerow trees 9A.33. Hedgerows  Maintain existing intricate pattern of hedgerows 9A.34. Woodland and Trees  Seek opportunities for new woodland planting to link existing wooded areas and integrate modern development into the landscape  Maintain shelter belts on higher ground 9A.35. Historic Landscapes

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 Maintain the close relationship between the settlement pattern, late medieval/early post-medieval landscape and adjacent parkland  Avoid further erosion of historic landscapes and particularly later medieval and early post-medieval field systems due to modern agricultural methods 9A.36. Settlement Fringe  Reinforce the edge of Andover through careful design and appropriate landscape planting  Avoid deterioration in the settlement fringe landscape arising from poor design and intrusive development  Improve management of the landscape around settlements  Seek improved management and maintenance of farmsteads and farms in the fringe areas

Land Use and Development 9A.37. All of the Borough wide and Landscape Character Type land use and development guidelines apply to this Landscape Character Area. Specific to this Landscape Character Area are: 9A.38. Built Development  Opportunities to be sought to restore local landscape features and create a stronger landscape structure within the settlement edge of Andover  Avoid the coalescence and loss of separate identity of Andover and nearby settlements which are in places separated by a narrow gap of fields  Proposals for solar development should consider the impacts on the valued predominantly rural character, sense of remoteness and tranquillity. Potential cumulative effects with existing solar farms in adjacent LCAs should also be considered 9A.39. Recreation, Tourism and Access  Consider possibility of introducing recreational focal points

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19th century parkland and house of Redenham Park

Small woodland copses Views to large scale buildings within business park on the edge of Andover from Lane

Shallow dry valleys

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